Interspecific prunus tree named ‘Gypzee’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemagaurd’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
         1. The tree having a vigorous, upright growth habit.   2. Heavy and regular production of fruit.   3. Fruit with an attractive dark red skin color.   4. Fruit with a good balance between acid and sugar.   5. Fruit with very good flavor and eating quality.

Botanical classification: Prunus species.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuing plant-breeding program including the organization and asexual reproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It was against this background of our activities that the present variety of interspecific tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

PRIOR VARIETIES

Among the existing varieties of interspecific plum and apricot trees, which are known to us, and mentioned herein, are interspecific trees with proprietary identification numbers ‘321LH465’, plumcot ‘4G720’ and peachcot ‘10W100’, ‘King David’ Plum (non-patented) and ‘Flaming Gold’ Apricot (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,822).

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of interspecific tree, originated from multiple crosses of Prunus salicina, Prunus armeniaca and Prunus persica, was developed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif. It originated from seed of an open pollinated proprietary seedling with identification number ‘321LH465’, which was developed by us from various crosses between ‘King David’ Plum (non-patented), ‘Flaming Gold’ Apricot (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,822) and the proprietary interspecific plumcot ‘4G720’ and the proprietary peachcot ‘10W100’. A large group of these open pollinated seedlings were planted and grown on their own root system. Under close and careful observation, one such seedling, which is the present variety, exhibited desirable tree and fruit characteristics and in 1999 was selected for asexual propagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of interspecific tree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), as performed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established and transmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new interspecific variety [Plum ×(Plum×Plumcot)] ×[Plum×(Apricot×Peach)] is of large size, vigorous, upright growth and a productive and regular bearer of large, attractive dark red fruit, with very good flavor and eating quality. The fruit is further characterized by having firm yellow flesh, a good balance between acid and sugar, with an average Brix of 17.0°. In comparison to the proprietary seed parent ‘321LH465’, the fruit is larger in size, having a dark red skin color, compared to blue and is approximately 10 days later in maturity. In comparison to the ‘King David’ Plum (non-patented), the fruit of the new variety is higher in Brix, more resistant to heat damage and approximately 8 days later in maturity.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE VARIETY

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimens of the foliage and fruit of the present new interspecific variety. The illustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, an exterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its suture plane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked (shipping ripe) and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety of interspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations of 7 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with color in accordance with Munsell Book of Color.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Large, pruned to approximately 3 to 3.5 meters in             height for economical harvesting of fruit. Average width             approximately 3 meters, varies with different cultural             practices.         -   Vigor.—Vigorous, growth the first growing season of 1.5 to 2             meters, varies with fertility, type of soil and climatic             conditions.         -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.         -   Branching habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 35°,             increases with heavy production.         -   Productivity.—Productive, thinning and spacing of fruit             necessary for desired market size.         -   Bearer.—Regular, adequate fruit set five consecutive years.             No alternate bearing observed.         -   Fertility.—Self sterile, pollinator required.         -   Density.—Medium dense, usually pruned to vase shape to allow             more sunlight to center of tree to improve new spur growth             and enhance color of fruit.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of             California. Winter chilling requirement approximately 900             hours at or below 45° F. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone             9. -   Trunk:     -   -   Size.—Large. Average circumference 55.8 cm, measured at 27.9             cm above ground on a 7 year old tree.         -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, increases with age.         -   Color.—Varies from 10YR 3/2 to 2.5Y 6/2. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 19.5 cm, measured at 1.1             meters above ground. Average crotch angle 35°, increases             with heavy fruit production.         -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth             moderately rough, increases with age.         -   Lenticels.—Average number 41 in a 25.8 square cm surface.             Average length 4.0 mm. Average width 2.0 mm. Color varies             from 7.5YR 5/8 to 7.5YR 4/8.         -   Color.—New growth varies from 5GY 5/6 to 5GY 6/4. Mature             growth varies from 2.5Y 5/2 to 2.5Y 3/2, varies with age of             growth. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 109.7 mm. Average width 48.9             mm.         -   Form.—Oblanceolate.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Margin.—Serrate.         -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight             indentations over midrib and leaf veins, glabrous. Lower             surface relatively smooth except for small ridges created by             midrib and pinnate venation, glabrous.         -   Petiole.—Average length 15.7 mm. Average width 1.6 mm. Color             varies from 5GY 7/4 to 5GY 6/4. Longitudinally grooved.             Surface — very short pubescence.         -   Glands.—Type — globose. Size — medium. Average length             1.0 mm. Average diameter 0.6 mm. Average number 2. Located             primarily on lower portion of leaf blade and upper portion             of petiole. Color varies from 2.5GY 5/6 to 2.5GY 6/6.         -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 5GY 4/6 to 5GY 3/4. Lower             surface varies from 5GY 4/2 to 5GY 4/4. Midvein color varies             from 5GY 8/2 to 5GY 6/4. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Size.—Small to medium. Average length 9.1 mm. Average             diameter 5.1 mm.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.         -   Form.—Conical, becoming elongated just before opening.         -   Pedicel.—Average length 5.7 mm. Average width 0.8 mm.             Surface — glabrous. Color varies from 2.5GY 7/8 to 5GY 7/6.         -   Number of buds per spur.—Average number 7, varies from 4 to             10.         -   Color.—N 9.5/ (white). -   Flowers:     -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 27, 2007. Date of             Petal Fall Mar. 8, 2007, varies slightly with climatic             conditions.         -   Size.—Small. Average height 9.4 mm. Average diameter 15.6             mm.         -   Petals.—Number 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Size —             small. Average length 8.1 mm. Average width 6.2 mm. Form —             elongated. Both upper and lower surfaces glabrous. Margin —             sinuate. Color — N 9.5/ (white).         -   Sepals.—Number 5, alternately arranged to petals. Size —             small. Average length 2.7 mm. Average width 2.2 mm. Shape —             triangular. Margin — entire. Both upper and lower surfaces             glabrous. Color — upper surface varies from 2.5GY 6/8 to SGY             6/6. Lower surface varies from 5GY 7/8 to 5GY 6/8.         -   Stamens.—Number — average 31 per flower. Filament length             8.5 mm. Filament color N 9.5/ (white). Anther color varies             from 2.5YR 5/10 to 2.5YR 5/12.         -   Pollen.—Self sterile, pollinator required. Color varies from             5Y 8/10 to 5Y 7/10.         -   Pistil.—Normally one. Surface — glabrous. Average length             6.9 mm. Position of stigma — even with anthers. Color varies             from 10Y 7/6 to 2.5GY 8/6.         -   Fragrance.—Moderate aroma.         -   Color.—N 9.5/ (white).         -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Average number 2, varies from             1 to 4.         -   Pedicel.—Average length 7.6 mm. Average width 0.7 mm. Color             varies from 2.5GY 6/8 to 5GY 7/6. Surface — glabrous. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe.         -   Date of first picking.—Aug. 1, 2007.         -   Date of last picking.—Aug. 8, 2007, varies slightly with             climatic conditions.         -   Size.—Large. Average diameter axially 68.0 mm. Average             transversely in suture plane 67.8 mm. Average weight 190.3             grams, varies slightly with fertility of the soil, amount of             thinning and climatic conditions.         -   Form.—Globose to slightly elongated.         -   Suture.—Nearly smooth, extends from base to apex.         -   Ventral surface.—Nearly smooth, some fruit with very slight             depression.         -   Apex.—Nearly rounded, some fruit slight tip.         -   Base.—Flat to slightly retuse.         -   Cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.             Average depth 1.5 mm. Average diameter 5.1 mm. -   Stem:     -   -   Size.—Small. Average length 9.2 mm. Average diameter 3.0 mm.         -   Colors.—Varies from 2.5GY 5/6 to 5Y 4/6. -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Evenly, only very slightly earlier near apex.         -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.         -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.         -   Firmness.—Firm, will hold firm on the tree 10 days after             maturity, shipping ripe.         -   Aroma.—Moderate.         -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.         -   Eating quality.—Very good.         -   Flavor.—Very good, good balance between acid and sugar.         -   Juice.—Moderate, enhances flavor.         -   Brix.—Average 17.0°, varies slightly with amount of fruit             per tree and climatic conditions.         -   Color.—Varies from 5Y 9/6 to 5Y 8.5/6 with slight bleeding             from skin 5R 4/10. Pit cavity color varies from 7.5YR 7/6 to             10YR 7/6. -   Skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface.—Smooth.         -   Bloom.—Moderate amount, completely covered.         -   Tendency to crack.—None.         -   Color.—Ground color varies from 2.5Y 9/4 to 2.5Y 8.5/6.             Overspread with 2.5R 2/6. Very small, randomly spaced areas             of ground color exposed to give a speckling pattern to             surface areas.         -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.         -   Astringency.—Undetected. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Clingstone.         -   Size.—Large. Average length 28.4 mm. Average width 21.1 mm.             Average thickness 10.1 mm.         -   Form.—Ovoid.         -   Base.—Usually flat, some stones slightly rounded.         -   Apex.—Slightly pointed. Average length 3.5 mm.         -   Surface.—Slightly pitted throughout, one shallow groove on             each side of suture, extending from base to apex.         -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extending further from suture             plane.         -   Ridges.—Very small, narrow ridges extend from base toward             apex.         -   Tendency to split.—None.         -   Color.—Varies from 7.5YR 5/6 to 10YR 5/8. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 15.4 mm. Average width 9.6 mm.             Average depth 4.7 mm.         -   Form.—Ovoid.         -   Viability.—Viable, complete embryo development.         -   Skin.—Color varies from 5Y 9/6 to 5Y 8/6 when dry. -   Use: Dessert.     -   -   Market.—local and long distance. -   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage 14 days at 38° to     42° without internal breakdown of flesh or appreciable loss of     flavor. -   Shipping quality: Good, minimal flesh bruising or skin scarring     during picking, packing and shipping trials. -   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing     for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been     designed. Under close observation during planting, growing, and     harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions     near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance     or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety or selection     observed during indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal     fungus, bacterial, virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and     eliminated from our breeding program.

The present new variety of interspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soil conditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown. The present description is that of the variety grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif. 

1. A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree, substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by its large size, vigorous, upright growth and being a regular and productive bearer of large, firm, yellow flesh, clingstone fruit with very good flavor and eating quality; the fruit is further characterized by having an attractive red skin color, holding firm on the tree days after maturity (shipping ripe) a good balance between acid and sugar with an average Brix of 17.0°. 